Perforating press for animal pieces



p 7, 1954 s. KOMARIK ET AL 2,688,151

PERFORATING PRESS FOR ANIMAL PIECES Filed D86. 6, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 37 flf/arneys Patented Sept. 7, 1954 PERFORATING PRESS FOR ANIMAL PIECES Stephan L. Komarik and Carroll L. Grifl'ith, Chicago, 111., assignors to The Grifiith Laboratories, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application December 6, 1952, Serial No. 324,442

3 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to presses for perforating animal body pieces, and in particular to a press for forming artificial pores in meat products to be cured, and especially for the production of bacon.

The present invention provides a perforating press for bacon slabs and other pieces such as back fat, jowl, pork hams, beef hams and other dimensional forms which in chilled condition may be compressed to provide two parallel plane faces. The press performs the functions of compression and of perforation. The perforating and compressing may be done in various combinations of timing, such as simultaneously compressing and perforating, or perforating and then compressing before withdrawal of the pins, but it is preferred to compress first and then to insert the pins into the compressed piece before withdrawal of the pins. Because the withdrawal of pins involves a stripping action of the piece from the pins, the preferred press is one which also performs the stripping function. The compressing plate may be made to perform the stripping function also, as described below.

It is the general object of the invention to provide apparatus which produces from irregular shaped pieces of meat uniformly thick pieces, each having two plane parallel faces, and which forms artificial pores from one such face into the interior of the piece to serve as channels for curing material.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide apparatus which first compresses a piece of meat to uniform thickness and then perforates .the piece along the thickness dimension.

It is also an object of the invention to provide in a multiple-pin perforating press, a plate through which the pins move, which plate functions to compress the piece to uniform thickness, to guide the pins in their linear direction, and to strip the perforated piece from the 'pins.

It is another object of the invention to mount a compressing stripper plate on the movable pincarrying means in a manner to effect the compressing and stripping functions of said plate by the normal movements of entering the pins into the piece and withdrawing them.

Various other and ancillary objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and explanation of the invention as illustrated by the presently preferred embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front view of the apparatus looking along the axis thereof.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the press shown in Fig. 1 shown partly in section, and taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view of the press shown in Fig. 1 taken from the left hand side thereof.

Fig. 4 is a detailed enlarged vertical sectional view of an operating and mounting connection between the pressor plate and the pin-carrying head.

Figs. 5 through 9 are a diagrammatic sequence of enlarged fragmentary views partly in vertical cross-section illustrating the operations of the press of Fig. l on a bacon belly.

Fig. 10 is a detailed view of the mounting of the pin and its relation to the pressor plate.

In general the apparatus illustrated has a platform on which the work pieces moving in a production line may be momentarily halted under a bank of vertical pins, mounted in a vertically movable head. The head is movable in both directions by fluid pressure, being connected to a piston operating in a double acting cylinder, preferably hydraulic, in which the flow of fluid in both directions is controlled by a suitable valve conveniently located for use by the operator. The motion of the pin-carrying head is limited in both directions by structural stops to provide fixed upper and lower positions. The lower position is such that the ends of all the pins are spaced above the platform, so as to form only well-like pores in the work piece.

A vertically movable pressor plate is provided between the pin-carrying head and the platform, through which plate the pins are free to move. In the upper position of the plate, the pins in their uppermost position reside in holes in the pressor plate, which thus serves as a guide for the pins and minimizes bending of the same out of vertical alinement. The lowermost position of the plate is adjustably fixed by a stop for a predetermined thickness of meat product to be produced. The head and the pressor plate are so related that the two may move together from their uppermost positions, first to compress the work piece until the pressor plate reaches its lowermost position. Then the head continues its downward movement to move the pins through the pressor plate and into the work piece. Considerable force is required to draw the pins from the meat piece, so that in raising the head the meat piece tends to move up with the pins by friction. This is permitted so as to carry upwardly the pressor plate also. When the pressor plate reaches its uppermost position, prior to completion of the upward movement of the head,

the arrested pressor plate strips the work piece from the pins as the head continues its upward motion. The perforated piece then drops to the platform and is pushed along the platform by entry of a new piece likewise to be treated.

One apparatus for effecting the foregoing operations is herein described with reference to its particular .design for 'tpork bellies :as the work pieces in the production of bacon. However, its use is not limited to pork bellies and other forms may be employed in the same apparatus.

It has a cabinet in which:is housed-means (not shown) for generating fluid pressure, preferably hydraulic, to operatethe; press. Gabine't'l-ll has a horizontal plane top 'orzplatform -ll to which temporary or permanent shelf extensions l2 or 13 may be added forrconvenience. JApork belly P is shown entering the press at the location of shelf l2 to leave. at shelf [3, this direction of movement being referred to herein as the axis of the press.

Across the axis of theipress there is .an inverted U-frame l5 surmounted by a hydraulic cylinder IS in which moves 'a' piston head 1 I 7 having: cylindrical plunger rod 13 attached to .a:pin-carrying head 19. The head l'9 is vertically movable and is "positioned against rotation about the axis of rod '18 by means including'the two'vertical posts and 2i. Posts 20 and 21 are carried by-a cross-bar 22' integral-withthe head and they'slide vertically in bearingsi23 and 24 fixed toframe [5.

Head ill-carries a multiplicity of pins 25 of equal length, for example inchlin diameter, and arranged-ma regular rectangular pattern,

for example onehaving a spacing of A of an.

inchin' both directions. Below the 'pins there is a vertically movable pressure plate 21 having a lower pressing face 'paralle'lto the platform l I. The plate' has holes arranged in'the same pattern as *for the pins, "through which thepins pass,

preferably with considerable friction. Fig. 10

represents one suitable'mannerof mounting individual pins 25 in head l9 so that a pin may be "easily replaced when bent or-broken. "Head 19 (Fig. 10) consists-of separated plates 'and-3l of which plate 3 l is perforated in the same pattern as plate zl. The pins 25 each have a flat A peripheral rim of Screws pass through holes in 'The pins 25 are bluntlyspointed as =shownat 31 in .-.Fig. 10,,and .intheir uppermost :position have afractional length of :their points 31 projectingflfromzplatell in its uppermost position. In'the'eventthat a pin becomesbrokenand there- -fore.;its :endlost, theabsence of the projecting :point is .easily noted-by inspecting the underside iof'the-plate 21. Thearrangement described with the plate?! spaced from'thehead [-9, 'gives the plate v 2! 'thezfunction of 'guidingthe pins in *a 'vertical direction and at the beginning of the pressing operation. is corrective 'ofany bent pins,

such correcting enhancing friction betweenthe pins and plate 21.

The friction of tthepins 25 'with plate '21 can .readily betsuchithat the friction carries the plate upwardly and downwardly with movement of the headgto the extent that'theiplatell is :permitted 'to move. However,-it :is preferred ato enhance this effect of friction "by providing additional iuntilit contacts a belly P under the'pins. .ifriction, 101' the friction. plusthe net force from lower "side of plate '21. upper :position :of plate 21 as;predetermined by stop'5l., curved guide-.plates55 and 56 are mountmeans to move the plate 21 in the same manner. Such additional means becomes effective when wear between the pins and holes becomes so great as to render the friction insufficient for its intended purpose. Suitable means is illustrated in detail in Fig. 4.

Cylinders 40 are mounted to the head I9 near -'the cornersthereofso as to extend upwardly.

The tops of'the'cylinders' are closedby'a threaded plug 4|, the turning of which changes the compression exerted by spring 42 between it and a piston head 43 on rod 44. Rod 44 passes through the bottom of cylinder 40 and is connected to p'lateZ'I. Piston head 43 fits loosely in cylinder 40to permit air to pass around it as the piston moves. Where-friction between the pins 25 and ,platefl: may not be depended upon or may not be sufficient to lift the plate 2'! by action of pins 25, the "belly P will lift the plate in raising the pins until the belly P is stripped from the pins. Then awithouttfriction, the plate -2'l might drop. To

:guard .:against this a light coiled spring '45 is :placed between piston head 43 and the bottom-"46 "of cylinder 40. The several springs are such in strength and arrangement :that the plate'ZT :is always uppermost when the head [9 is upper- .dnost. In consequence, when head t9 moves :downwardly, plate 21 moves downwardly with it The 1the-1cylinder -40, maintains downward'motion of :the plate ZTwiththe head -l9,'thereby to com- ;presslthe belly? 'toa point where plate 21 reaches its predetermined lower limit. Then the plate 21 J's-arrested andspring llz yields as the pins move into'the .bellyito their lower limit.

.Buitable means aretprovided to serve as stops to limit and 'predetermine movement of plate 21. Fouriposts ill-are shown mountedonplatformi l l .Thesez'have :fi-Xed istops which :are set .for' treatzingiporkxbellies, but .otherposts with different ilimitsimaybesubstitute'd. .Post '50 has upper rstop :5] :so positioned ithat the top of :plate .21

strikes its underside, and it has:lower:stop I52 sorpositioned' thatfits top makes contact with'the With respect .to a fixed Jed :onizposts 51:and;58 .at'the entry and8Xlt-18IIC1S ro'f the axis. At the-entry end plate 55 facilitates the insertion of one end of a belly to be per- .forated, :especially whenuthe operator-does not "slideritzi-into position along :the shelf 12, as for example when it istmoved from a position indicated byrthe rlottedqline position P. .Although r:only.:one end 'oftthese' guide plates functions in normal use,'two are provided sothatthe device :may :beused 'with' equal facility in either direc- :tion.

operation the motion of :head I9 'may involve structuralstops for limiting the positions .ofthehead. To facilitate the description, how- -.ever,=.positive stops zare'indicated such as stops fill-.and-lfil mounted onthaframe 15 serving respectively as the ,upper and lower stops for-the vertical movement of the head IS.

The sequence .of -operations is :best described more or less diagrammatically by reference to ivFigs.5-rthrough 9. In Fig. 5 a'belly-Pwith irfiregularfleshface-fii is .placed onplatform H under plate 21in its uppermostposition against its upper stop-"5|. .Head .l'9-is also in its uppermost position against its: upper .stop'60. in 'Fig. 6

"the-.hydrauliczpressure :inzcylinder [6 has lowered head [9 and plate 2! together :to :=the lower-stop 52, in the meantime compressing the belly P to provide a plane face thereon, at a level below the irregular face 65 shown in Fig. 5. Continued movement of head l9 carries pins 25 into the compressed belly P until the head l9 reaches its lowermost stop 6| as indicated in Fig. 7. Then the hydraulic pressure is reversed and the head I9 is raised as in Fig. 8, lifting the belly P with the pins by reason of the friction therebetween, until plate 21 is arrested by its upper stop 5!. Continuing movement of the head 19 upwardly strips the stationary belly from the pins 25 as the head l9 moves to its uppermost position against stop 60 as shown in Fig. 9, thereby positioning the parts as in Fig. 5 for a repetition of the cycle after replacing perforated belly P of Fig. 9 by an unperforated, uncompressed belly P as in Fig. 5.

The invention is not to be considered as limited to the precise combination and structures illustrated in the drawings, but to comprehend other forms falling within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Apparatus comprising in combination a frame, a horizontal platform fixed relative to said frame on which to place a compressible article to be perforated, a vertically movable head mounted on said frame in a position above said platform and having a fixed range of vertical movement relative to said frame, vertical perforating elements carried by said head in position to penetrate said article on said platform, vertically movable compressing and stripper means for said article positioned between said platform and said head and mounted on and carried by said head in vertically movable relation thereto, said compressing means having openings for said perforating elements to pass therethrough, upper and lower stop means carried by said frame predetermining the terminals of the range of vertical movement of said compressing means, first resilient means connecting said head and said compressing means and operatively associated to lift said compressing means during upward movement of said head, relatively stronger second resilient means additionally connecting said head and said compressing means and operatively associated to move said compressing means downwardly to its lowermost position against the force of said first resilient means in downward movement of said head, said second resilient means providing sufiicient force to effect compression of said compressible article on said platform, whereby said compressing means is moved impositively and yieldingly by said head during movements of said head, the ends of said elements in the upper positions of the compressing means and said head being sufficiently raised above the platform to permit placing an article on the platform to be compressed and penetrated, the lower stop means for said compressing means predetermining the extent of compressing said article, and actuating means operatively associated with said head to move it in both directions between its stop means.

2. Apparatus comprising in combination a frame, a horizontal platform fixed relative to said frame on which to place a compressible article to be perforated, a vertically movable head mounted on said frame in a position above said platform, upper and lower stop means carried by said frame predetermining extreme positions of the range of movement of said head, vertical perforating elements carried by said head and in position to penetrate said article on said platform, the position of the lower stop means predetermining the extent of penetration, vertically movable compressing and stripper means for said article positioned between said platform and said head and mounted on and carried by said head in vertically movable relation thereto, said compressing means having openings for said perforating elements to pass therethrough, upper and lower stop means carried by said frame predetermining the terminals of the range of vertical movement of said compressing means, first resilient means connecting said head and said compressing means and operatively associated to lift said compressing means during upward movement of said head, relatively stronger second resilient means additionally connecting said head and said compressing means and operatively associated to move said compressing means downwardly to its lowermost position against the force of said first resilient means in downward movement of said head, said second resilient means providing sufficient force to effect compression of said compressible article on said platform, whereby said compressing means is moved impositively and yieldingly by said head during movements of said head, the ends of said elements in the upper positions of the compressing means and said head being sufficiently raised above the platform to permit placing an article on the platform to be compressed and penetrated, the lower stop means for said compressing means predetermining the extent of compressing said article, and actuating means operatively associated with said head to move it in both directions between its stop means.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the actuating means is a fluid-operated piston and cylinder, whereby to facilitate positioning the stop means for said head.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,965,462 Irwin July 3, 1934 2,217,763 Moldawsky Oct. 15, 1940 2,322,243 Larson et a1 June 22, 1943 2,455,579 Hensel Dec. 7, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 40,023 France Dec. 28, 1931 (1st addition to No. 711,983.) 755,599 France Sept. 11, 1933 480,764 Great Britain Feb. 28, 1938 

